Israel shells southern Syria as Damascus voices commitment to US-mediated talks

Israeli strikes hit areas near Damascus while Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said Damascus remains committed to a US-mediated diplomatic solution despite ongoing Israeli operations.

• Israeli forces fired six artillery shells at the southern edges of al-Rafid in Quneitra countryside and struck Tal Bat al-Warda near Beit Jinn in western Damascus countryside.
• SANA reported shells landed on agricultural land followed by gunfire from Israeli forces stationed at Tal al-Jal'a in the occupied Golan, with no casualties recorded.
• Shibani said Syria recorded 65 Israeli incursions in July and 52 in the first 18 days of August, plus 147 arrests this year with 49 still detained.
• Shibani said the talks aim to end the strikes and arrests and secure an Israeli withdrawal to lines before December 8, 2024 under the 1974 disengagement agreement.